A woman embarks upon a relentless pursuit of her dreams... these are her "letters from the inside."

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Cents and Sensibility

The other day I came across something I hadn't ever seen before: a 1943 Wheat Penny. As I plucked it out from the pile of loose change jingling around in the bottom of my purse, my fingertips glided across the worn face of old "honest Abe." The coin itself has seen better days, but remains in fair condition. Just by looking at it, you probably wouldn't guess that it is seventy years old, except for a few worn edges and the exposed base metal.

I did a little research because I am, without a doubt, a bit of a romantic when it comes to antiquities. What I discovered surprised me a little. 1943 Wheat Pennies were minted with a different base metal than the traditional copper pennies created the previous and following years; they are unique. Even more curious, is that some of these pennies minted in 1943 were accidentally minted in copper rather than the base metal originally intended; these are extremely unique.

In the same excavation of my oversized purse, I found a few more wheat pennies that sparked my curiosity: 1944, 1941, 1952 and even a well worn penny from 1911. Unbelievable.

Now, I am well aware of my giant nerd status and I am pretty sure, upon reading this post today, you will be too. Perhaps it isn't a big deal to find wheat pennies. I wouldn't really know because I am quite an amateur coin collector. In fact, I am hardly a coin collector at all. But, I would say I know a lucky penny when I see one. To me, the 1943 wheat penny is the golden ticket.

You see, that was not the only unique face of Americansense minted in 1943. It was also the year a true American ambassador was born: my father, my hero.

These two particularly uncommon sojourners are worth more than words could ever possibly express. How does one measure something or someone's worth? How can you possibly begin the tedious process of examining the quality, the origin, the circulation, the condition and place a set value accordingly??

Like I said, I am quite a novice when it comes to the business of antiquities. I do however have a keen awareness of value and rarity. And in 1943, I can assure you, the two most rarefaces of American values, were minted. And today, I am fortunate enough to be in close proximately to both.

Perhaps you'll just have to take my word for it. But I believe that in time, both of these 1943 treasures will be spoken about for decades more to come. And I will have been the lucky benefactor.

Seventy years may be a long time for a wheat penny to circulate from person to place, but is not even close to enough time to measure its inherent value. And to my dad, I say the same is true...

1943 was a good year.

Happy Birthday Dad. The value of one cent and a whole wealth of common sense is what you've instilled in me: cents and sensibility. I can't even begin to know what all to give back to you. But here's an idea... How about a 1943 pennyfor your thoughts??